A FOREIGN man who posted a video of himself on TikTok after catching endangered parrotfish off Phi Phi Leh island, Krabi province, which is part of Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park has been detained and now faces legal action, Matichon newspaper said this morning (August 16).
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Varawut Silpa-archa said Mr. Roslan Benedia, a Dutch national, was apprehended at a room in Phuket and brought in for questioning at 3.30 p.m. yesterday.
This action was taken after he posted but later deleted a video clip on his TikTok account @roslanofficial showing himself holding two parrotfish and three other fish in his left hand and a stabbed moray eel in the other.
Police are also moving in on the companies he rented the fishing boat and fish gun from.
The minister said Benedia had rented a long-tailed boat at Phi Phi Don island with Mr. Krisana Thodthin as the captain and also rented a fish gun from an operator on this island. Then at 1 p.m. on August 9, 2022 he sailed for Phi Phi Leh island to fish claiming that he did not know this area was part of the national park area.
“After this, Phi Phi police station investigators will collect evidence and move for prosecution according to the legal steps. Investigation will also be expanded to the owners of the boat and fish gun he had rented,” he said.
CAPTIONS:
Top: A partially masked image of Mr. Roslan Benedia being questioned at a police station.
Insert and Front Page: A screengrab image from the video clip showing the suspect with two parrotfish he had caught. All photos: Matichon
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